Customer Reviews

Gay Christian 101: Spiritual Self-Defense for Gay Christians - What the Bible Really Says About Homosexuality

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Rick presents a very good case for a Gay-affirming God of the Bible. He provides a very detailed view of the various biblical passages directly and/or indirectly referencing homosexuality, and offers arguments I've previously not heard--a rare find in the age of regurgitated literature.

He provides PLENTY of evidence to support most of his claims. A few were a stretch; but the overall effort of the book, and various points it firmly establishes make this an excellent and almost absolutely necessary addition to your library. It's definitely worth the time and money.

In his powerful new book, Independent Baptist minister Rick Brentlinger persuasively argues that on the issue of homosexuality, the church has it wrong. In crisp, readable language, Brentlinger lays out the case from culture, history, linguistics and scripture, for full acceptance in church and society, of gay and lesbian people.

Gay Christian 101 presents fascinating historical proof that our ancient Jewish and Christian ancestors did not view the Biblical texts as universal indictments of homosexuality.

Many who were once cast out - women, people of color, divorced and remarried people - are leaders in the modern church. Gay Christian 101 argues that the trajectory of Biblical truth also supports full inclusion of GLBT believers in the spiritual life of the church.

Brentlinger makes his case by quoting BC references to Sodom, by paying careful attention to the context of the clobber passages and by noting how ancient Jewish believers understood those passages and giving the quotes. In the chapter dealing with the Levitical Holiness Code, eighteen variant interpretations are offered.

A particularly interesting, ground-breaking section is the Gay Analogy chapter. Taking up a challenge from anti-gay author Dr. Robert Gagnon, that any Biblical analogy for homosexual relationships must closely correspond in particular details (including life-long sexual activity), Brentlinger presents five new, scriptural, gay analogies which strongly support full inclusion of gay and lesbian Christians in the modern church.

In the New Testament section of Gay Christian 101, a strong historical case is made that eunuchs in ancient times included gay men and lesbians and that Jesus pointed out this fact to His disciples when He specifically excluded eunuchs from participating in Adam and Eve style marriage in Matthew 19:3-12.

In another chapter, particular attention is paid to the story of the gay Centurion, his meeting with Jesus and Jesus' declaration that the faith of the Centurion exceeds any faith Jesus observed in Israel.

The arguments for a limited interpretation of Romans 1:26-27 vs. the traditional view that this passage condemns all homosexual practice, are compelling. Besides listing 15 variant interpretations of the Romans passage, Brentlinger demonstrates from history and scripture, that the traditional view of Romans is simply wrong.

Many modern scholars are absolutely convinced that I Cor 6:9 and I Tim 1:10, use the Greek word arsenokoites to condemn all homosexual practice. They frequently use Greek lexicons to support that viewpoint. Brentlinger goes beyond Greek lexicons to the ancient sources cited in the lexicons and lists the first 56 historical uses of arsenokoites to prove that no ancient use of arsenokoites condemns all homosexual practice. In fact, no ancient use of arsenokoites ever referred to two men of equal status in a committed, faithful, noncultic relationship.

What many traditionalists find irritating about this book is that Brentlinger cites the written opinions of conservative, evangelical heterosexual scholars to support the points he makes throughout Gay Christian 101.

Gay Christian 101 is a fascinating conversation about history, theology and God's truth about gay people. If you are gay or lesbian or have a loved one who is, this book will help you reconcile the gospel truth that one can be both gay and a Bible believing Christian.

Gay Christian101 is essential reading for everyone concerned with the future of a church torn by the homosexual debate.

I was so blessed by your book! It is so thoroughly researched and the author obviously has a deep love and reverance for the scriptures. I will be able to use it to educate those who have said "You just read the Bible the way you want to, to justify your lifestyle."
It seems to me it would be pretty hard to be a serious Biblical scholar and NOT come to the conclusions the author did. Being Missouri Synod Lutheran and a lesbian, my religious education has included a lot of scripture sutdy, so I appreciate the research that went into this book. Thank you for the time, energy and inspiration that went into the most complete and affirming book on this topic I've ever read!

In his book GAY CHRISTIAN 101, Rick Brentlinger delves deep into the Scriptures and their historical context to present one of the most comprehensive studies on the Bible and Homosexuality. The depth and breadth of his research is unparalleled as he examines closely the biblical texts, as well as writings by their contemporaries on sexuality.

Justin R. Cannon
Editor, Sanctified: An Anthology of Poetry by LGBT Christians
Author, The Bible, Christianity, & Homosexuality

This book is by far one of the best thought out and researched pieces of work on same sex relationships that I have encountered. I enjoy that it is written by someone who is a conservative Christian and therefore knows the arguments that conservatives/traditionalists use to condemn same sex relationships. I myself am also conservative and would grow tired of those in homosexual relationships simply saying that what they were doing was right because it was all about Love. To me that was never enough I needed to know what God really said on the matter because I knew that man's heart is deceitful above all things and that being right with God couldn't merely be based on feelings. That is why I really love this book it opens up scripture and explores the various nuances of the words used and the context in which these words were given to shed light on same sex relationships. If you are truly searching for an answer I encourage you to read this book! As a side note I prayed that while reading this book that God would not allow me to believe a lie or anything contrary to his word. I believe what Jesus said about God our heavenly father giving us what we asked for when he said that if a son asked his father for fish would the father instead give him a snake, likewise if men who are evil are able to give good gifts how much more will God give good things to those who ask him. I take Jesus up on that promise and simply ask that the truth on this matter be shown to me. i suggest you do it too and then read this book.

Rick Brentlinger's "Gay Christian 101: Spiritual Self-Defense For Gay Christians" has gone a long way in helping me heal from the condemnation and judgment I experienced from the Pentacostal Free Will Baptist Church I was brought up in. It is truly amazing how the scriptures have been taken out of context to condemn a large group of people. Brentlinger provides a detailed analysis of how certain scriptures have been interpretted throughout history and points out that "Scripture cannot mean now, what it did not mean then". That is the best and strongest argument one could make. He delves deep into the scripture and puts it in it's context. The message I got from the book is that God truly does love me even though I am gay and that I can have a loving relationship with someone of my own sex and a genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. This is the best book on the subject I have read. If you have gay family or friends who have turned away from God due to feeling that they are condemned to hell for being who they were born to be, I strongly urge you to give them a copy of this book. It will go a long way of combating the condemnation and judgment tape that plays over and over for many. Mr. Brentlinger thanks for this special gift to us

For those Bible believing Christians who have been told homosexuality is a sin and wrong etc by the church, and yet you take the Bible seriously and want to please God - you're stuck between the two and don't know what to do - THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU. It is Biblical based and shows you how the church has got it sincerely wrong in condemning gays. Very encouraging to find out you're ok and God still loves you just as you are.

I now, finally, have the tools to defend my life and my love from the "church". What a blessing this book has been to me. I have wept many tears of rejoicing while reading this book. I have even begun the attempt to re-enter the church. Thank you Rick Brentlinger and praise be to our Holy God.

This book is very readable and I would recommend it to every gay person. This will break down walls that have been build by fundamentalist.

After years of struggle and self-loathing, frustration and emotional bankruptcy, reading this wonderful book can only be likened to finally coming home ... coming home to God's blessing (that was always there!), to His affirmation, to His assurance that I'm exactly what He ordained me to be, and to His love that whispers, "No matter what anyone else says or thinks, you're Mine."
As I had communicated to the author - I only wish such a gift as this book was available to me in 1964, as a lonely, confused teenager - sure of what I was, but with no one I could dare talk to about.
But all things come in their season, and God has ordained THIS time for Rick's excellent work, and I shall be ever-grateful for it.